Abstract

This communication reports the largest series to date of patients with varicella pneumonia and is the only large series without a mortality. Thirty-eight patients with chickenpox (adults over 13 years of age) were hospitalized at Meadowbrook Hospital from January, 1953, through July, 1960. Thirteen of them had typical x-ray findings of chickenpox pneumonia. The severity varied from five cases who were asymptomatic to several who were almost moribund.

Four cases are presented in detail, with x-rays and an accompanying table summarizing the salient features of the 13 cases. The clinical features are discussed with regard to course, treatment, prognosis, and